How it works
Recommended Rate Calculator
Data source
BLS OEWS via CareerOneStop
Live federal wage data. Same source as O*NET Online. Updated annually.
Percentile used
Median (50th percentile)
The midpoint of actual wages paid in that market. Not impacted by high earners or entry-level outliers.
Adjustment
Market % difference applied to your base
The % gap between Location 1's BLS median and each other market is applied directly to your base wage.
Example
Loc 1: $17.96 → Loc 2: $19.17
+6.7% market gap. A base of $17.50 produces a recommended $18.67 for Location 2. Annual conversion uses 2,087 hrs (federal OPM standard).
Step 1
Occupation
Hourly
Annual
Step 2 Optional
Your Base Starting Wage
Enter your current or target starting wage. The tool uses it to calculate a recommended rate for each location you compare. Skip this step if you don't have a starting rate yet.
$
/hr
Premium / Shift Differential (optional)
Apply a flat rate or percentage on top of the recommended rate. Use this for shift differentials, hard-to-fill markets, or a deliberate above-market positioning.
Step 3
Locations